Speak The Same Thing

1Corinthians 1:[10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The letter of First Corinthians is corrective in nature and works toward bringing unity among the believers. They were to be unified in speech, thinking and discernment. I would like to address the false speaking in this body.It is imperative a church be on the same page when it comes to what they teach and preach. Unity of the believers is tantamount to growth of the body.

1Corinthians 1:[12] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.[13] Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

1Corinthians 3:[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.[3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?[4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?[5] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?[6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

If a body of believers consists of cliques and are not unified in one accord it is a sign of carnality. Those who are being led of the Spirit are united to the common cause of Jesus Christ.This body was of a different speech in whom they gave their respect. Please note, some of them had it correct in acknowledging their allegiance belonged to Christ. It is important to remember we all belong to Jesus. Though a man preached the gospel to us, it is Christ who died for us and saved us from our sins. Man is but a tool used by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel. Our allegiance and service belong to Jesus. It is important for a body of believers to acknowledge this and be fully aware we all serve only one Master and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.We, as a body of believers, should not be lifting up any man save our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rather than the praise of any man our speech should be about Jesus and what He did for us.

1Corinthians 12:[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.[14] For the body is not one member, but many.[15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?[16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

Along with the unity comes the acknowledgment that each part of the body serves a purpose. Though we should be unified in speech we must accept our function as given by the Holy Spirit and commit to our part.

Rather than saying “I am not a part” we should say “God has given me this function and I will do all I can to fulfill my part for the growth of the body of Christ.

1Corithians 13:[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

All of the speaking in the world does not amount to anything if not spoken with love. We should not only be unified in our speech but should be unified in our love. Love for God, love for each other, and love for the lost. It should be manifested in our speech.

1Corinthians 14:[1] Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.[2] For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.[3] But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

One of the single most misunderstood doctrines of our time is that of tongues. This church was admonished to speak the SAME THING. Let us look at the passage here in light of this fact.First we begin with the admonition to prefer preaching over exhortation in tongues. (TONGUE: ANOTHER LANGUAGE)Verse 2 states if someone speaks in another language unknown to the body is speaking to God and the body receives no edification through this speaking.Verse 3 He that preaches unto men and not communing with just God, is speaking for the body’s benefit.

[4] He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.[5] I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Verse 4 The tongue speaker is speaking in a tongue known to him but unknown to the body. If it were not known to himself even he would not be edified. Those who speak in a known tongue to the body builds up the church.Verse 5 Paul wishes they all had the ability to speak in other languages if there is someone else who knows the language and is able to edify the body by interpreting what is being spoken. Otherwise, it is better to preach in a known language to the body.

[6] Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?[7] And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?[8] For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?[9] So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.[10] There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Paul say if he came in and spoke in a language unknown to the body and no one knew it it is a waste of time and it is as if he were speaking to the air.Even musical instruments give melodious sounds in understood patterns. We are not to speak gibberish in the body.None of the sounds in the world is just gibberish.

[11] Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.[12] Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.[13] Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.[14] For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.[15] What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.[16] Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

Verse 11 If Paul hears someone speaking in a language not known to Paul then they would appear to be a barbarian to him and Paul would appear to be a barbarian to the speakerVerse 12 So rather when the body speaks let it be known what is being said so they may be edified.Verse 13 If someone speaks in a tongue unknown to the body let him pray for an interpreter.Verse 14 If Paul were to pray in a tongue unknown to him it would not profit him.Verse 15 Paul says he will only pray and sing in a tongue known to him so he will understand.

[18] I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:[19] Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

Verse 18 Paul knows more languages than any of them (being taught at the feet of Gamaliel) Verse 19 When he speaks in the church he will only use a language known by the body.

[21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.[22] Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.[23] If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Verse 21 God will use men of other nations to speak unto Israel but Israel will still refuse as a nationVerse 22 The different languages were given to win the lost Jews ( the pronoun “them” being a reference back to verse 21 “this people” which by context is the Jews.) and not for the church. Preaching is for the church.Verse 23 So if the body all speaks with foreign languages there can be no communication and people will think they are nuts.

[24] But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:[25] And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Verse 24-25 The church should be speaking by preaching.

[26] How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.[27] If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.[28] But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Verse 26 If anyone is going to speak in the church it must be for edifying the body which in order to be edifying it must be understood.Verse 27 If someone is going to speak in a language unknown to the body it must be only two or three and in order not at the same time.Verse 28 If no one is present to translate the person should not speak (NOTE: if he is speaking to himself he must know the language)

[29] Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.[30] If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.[31] For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.[32] And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.[33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Verse 29 One must remember these people did not have the complete revealed Word of God yet so when someone spoke there was no New Testament scripture to compare yet whether it be New Testament doctrine or not. The speaker spoke and others would discern what they spoke.Verse 30 If while someone is speaking a truth is revealed to someone else they must wait their turn to preach.Verse 31 All of the saved may preach (except women)Verse 32 The speaker may not change the Old Testament.Verse 33 When it comes to the speaking done in the church there should be no confusion or disagreement.

[34] Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.[35] And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.[36] What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?[37] If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.[38] But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.[39] Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.[40] Let all things be done decently and in order.

Verse 34 Though not popular among many sects the clear revealed will of God is WOMEN DO NOT PREACH OR SPEAK IN ANY LANGUAGE.Verse 35 It is a SHAME for them to preach. (So how say some people women are called of God to preach?)Verse 36 The Corinthians are receiving the Word of God FROM Paul not from them to Paul.Verse 37 These things being written through the hand of Paul are COMMANDMENTS of the Lord.Verse 38 You can refusse the Word of God and be ignorant or you can accept Verse 39 Seek to preach and refuse not someone speaking in a foreign language if it complies with the rules set forth in the previous verses.Verse 40 God is a God of order we have only to look at the splendor of His creation to know this surely in His body there is an expectation of the same order and lack of confusion.

1 Corinthians 15:[12] Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?[13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:[14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.[15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.[16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

The last example I would like to draw attention to of the people of Corinth not speaking the same thing is the false doctrine of the Resurrection being fiction.Verse 12 There were some present in Corinth who taught this life is all there is. The whole basis of our preaching and teaching is there is life beyond the grave. I think it safe to conclude among the people there were those of the sect of Sadducees. The Pharisees leaned toward the burdens of the law while the Sadducees did not believe in a life after the grave. Verse 13 If we are not going to live again then Jesus is not alive.Verse 14 Then what is our faith in if not the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?Verse 15 If Jesus had not risen then all of the Apostles were preaching lies because all testify to the fact of Jesus being raised from the dead.Verse 16 So either you acknowledge the Resurrection or you deny Jesus is alive.